Attending a registration or CPD appeal

General information on attending a registration or CPD appeal and specific information for dental professionals and their representatives.

General information relevant for all attendees

If you are a dental professional, a witness or a member of the public wishing to attend a registration or CPD appeal hearing (including journalists), you can find dedicated information for yourselves further down the page.

How are appeal hearings held?

Most appeal hearings are held virtually online, however in person appeal hearings are held at 37 Wimpole Street, London, W1G 8DQ.

All appeal hearings are held in public, unless there are good reasons for part or all of an appeal hearing to be held in private.

Members of the public, including journalists, can attend any appeal hearing that is held in public. This includes remote appeal hearings. Requests to attend an upcoming appeal hearing can be made on this website. Limits to the number of attendees may apply.

You can find directions to our building and information about nearby train stations and bus stops on our Contact Us page.

Accessibility

Arriving at the venue

What happens before, during and after a hearing?

The Committee

Cases are heard before a committee made up of three people, drawn from a pool of independently appointed dental professionals and lay people. The Committee members are independent of the GDC and bring a wide range of experience, backgrounds, and perspectives, helping to ensure balanced discussions and fair decisions.

The Committee Secretary and Legal Adviser

The Committee Secretary is responsible for making sure the business of the hearing is conducted appropriately, including acting as a liaison between the Committee and the parties involved. The independent Legal Adviser, who is either a solicitor or a barrister, provides procedural legal advice to ensure the hearing is conducted appropriately. The Legal Adviser can also help explain the legal process to dental professionals who are representing themselves without their own legal representative.

The Committee Secretary and the Legal Adviser play no role in decision making. That is done solely by the three Committee members.

The GDC Case Presenter

At an appeal hearing there will also be a Case Presenter, who is usually a lawyer instructed by the General Dental Council (GDC).

On Papers Appeal Hearings

If you have agreed to have an on papers appeal hearing the committee will meet alone to consider your appeal. They will be assisted by a legal adviser and committee secretary.

The dental professional and their representative

A dental professional, either by themselves or with a legal representative, will usually be present at a hearing. Sometimes a dental professional who is without a legal representative may attend a hearing with a friend or a relative.

The Witness

The term "witness" is used to refer to any person who can give a first-hand account of specific events. Expert witnesses appointed by either the GDC or the dental professional may also be called to give evidence to assist the Committee.

The public and journalists

Members of the public and journalists may be in attendance of a hearing that is held in public.

If you are a member of the public or a journalist who wishes to attend an upcoming hearing, please make a request to attend a hearing.